JP2830448B2 - Inventory management system and inventory management method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention selects a predetermined storage compartment from a large number of storage compartments, and stores articles accurately and quickly. The present invention relates to an inventory management system that supports accurate and prompt delivery of a specific item.

[Conventional technology]

In inventory management, it is necessary to be able to accurately and quickly extract necessary items from a large number of items in stock. In conventional typical inventory management, the types of items to be stored in a large number of racks installed in a warehouse are determined in advance, and when a new item arrives, a worker loads a pallet loaded with several items. For example, it is carried to a rack to be stored by a forklift, and the pallet is stored. When the delivery of an article is instructed, the operator takes out the pallet together with the pallet from the rack in which the article is stored, and picks up the required number of articles. In this case, in order to always keep track of which items are stored in the warehouse and how many items are in stock, it is necessary to accurately record the number of items stored and the number of items removed during storage and retrieval operations. [Problem to be solved by the invention] When stocks are taken in and out by the conventional method,
No matter how careful the operator is, there is an unavoidable danger of putting it in the wrong rack or removing an item different from the indicated item. In particular, when dealing with items that cannot be mistaken, such as pharmaceuticals, conventional inventory management is not sufficient.

In addition, if the items to be stored in a specific rack are determined in advance as in the past, the operator can gradually learn the rack in which the items are stored, so that mistakes can be reduced. There is a problem that the space efficiency is reduced because it is left unused without being used for a period.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an inventory management system that can store goods accurately and quickly and that can increase space efficiency.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an inventory management system capable of accurately and quickly taking out an article.

[Means for solving the problem]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inventory management system comprising a plurality of storage compartments, and a storage compartment display level in which a symbol identifying the storage compartment is written near each of the storage compartments. Storing means, storing the number of stored items stored in each of the storing sections, determining a storing section in which to store a newly-entered article, and storing a symbol specifying a type of the article. A storage management device that issues a storage instruction label on which an article display label, a symbol specifying the type of the article and a symbol indicating a storage section in which the article is to be stored, a storage section display label, and a storage article display label , Read each symbol written on the warehousing instruction label, and compare the goods written on the warehousing instruction label with the goods written on the stored goods display label. A symbol reading device that determines whether or not the storage section is a storage section in which to store a newly received article by comparing the storage section that has been stored with the storage section indicated on the storage section display label, and displays the result. And supports storage of the goods in the correct storage compartment.

A second invention for achieving the above object is the first invention.
In the inventory management system according to the invention, further, which article is stored in which storage section is stored in advance, a symbol specifying the type of the article instructed to be taken out, and a storage section in which the article is stored. A delivery management device that issues a delivery instruction label with a symbol indicating the following is provided. The symbol reading device reads the respective symbols written on the storage compartment display label, the stored product display label, and the delivery instruction label, and leaves the warehouse. By comparing the item indicated on the instruction label with the item indicated on the storage indicator label, and comparing the storage section indicated on the delivery instruction label with the storage segment indicated on the storage indicator label. It is important to determine whether the item to be removed from a storage compartment is an item to be retrieved, display the result, and support correct retrieval of the item. It is a sign.

A third invention for achieving the above object is the first invention.
Alternatively, in the inventory management system according to the second invention, a storage section display label, a storage item display label, a storage instruction label,
The symbol written on the leaving instruction label is a bar code, and the symbol reading device reads these bar codes.

[Action]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the storage management device recognizes how many articles are stored in which storage section by recording the state of storage and storage from the initial state. Therefore, based on this information, the storage section for storing the newly received article is determined by a predetermined logic. The worker affixes the article display label issued on the basis of this judgment to the article, transports the article to the storage section designated by the entry instruction label, and uses the sign reader to display the article display label and entry instruction label. Then, each symbol written on the storage section display label attached near the storage section is read. In the sign reading device, the storage item indicated on the receipt instruction label and the item indicated on the storage item display label are the same, and the storage section indicated on the entry instruction label and the display of the storage section display label are the same. Is confirmed, and if there is a mismatch, an indication to that effect, for example, an alarm is issued. As a result, the article can be definitely stored in the predetermined storage section.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the storage management device recognizes how many articles are stored in which storage section by recording the state of storage and storage from the initial state. Therefore, when a product desired to be delivered is input, a delivery instruction label is issued immediately. The worker goes to the storage section indicating the delivery instruction label, and a storage item display label attached to the item stored in the storage section,
Each symbol written on the storage section display label and the delivery instruction label is read by the symbol reading device, and it is confirmed that the article is the one desired to be delivered. This makes it possible to swiftly remove a desired item to be retrieved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, by using the above-described configuration, a symbol can be easily read by using a barcode which is generally widely used.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an example in which the stock management system of the present invention is applied to a medicine warehouse. FIG. 1 schematically shows a part of a rack 2 in which medicine cases are stored in pallet units. In this example, the rack 2 has three tiers and each rack has a height of about 1 meter. . Each rack 2
A label 4 indicating the position by a bar code is affixed in the vicinity of. FIG. 2 shows a state in which a pallet 6 and a large number of boxes of medicine cases 8 are placed thereon. FIG. 3 shows an example of the entry instruction label 10, and an exit instruction label 20, which will be described later, has the same format.

Although not shown in the figure, in addition to this, an inventory management device that manages the stock status of each drug by a computer is installed, which determines the rack in which the received drug should be stored, as well as a loading instruction label and delivery. Issue instruction labels. The operator also carries a barcode reader for reading barcodes written on these labels.

When a new drug is received and the name of the item is input to the inventory management device, the inventory management device takes the rack into account by using internal logic in consideration of the degree of empty space and the efficiency when removing the rack. Judge. At the same time, a storage instruction label 10 and a pallet identification label 12 are issued based on this determination. On the pallet identification label 12, an item code 14 indicating the type of the medicine is displayed as a bar code. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the goods receipt instruction label 10 has an item code 16 indicating the type of the medicine,
The address code 18 of the rack in which the medicine case is to be stored is displayed as a bar code, and characters are also displayed so that the operator can understand it.

The operator attaches the pallet identification label 12 to the pallet 6 on which the medicine case is placed. This palette 6
Is about 1 meter square in this embodiment. The worker follows the warehousing instruction label 10 on the pallet 6
Is transported to a predetermined rack by a forklift or the like. Here, a total of four bar codes written on the label 4 attached to the rack, the storage instruction label 10, and the pallet identification label 12 are read by the bar code reader carried by the user. The barcode reader determines whether the item code 16 of the storage instruction label 10 matches the item code 14 of the pallet identification label 12, and whether the address code 18 of the storage instruction label 12 matches the code of the label 4 on the rack. A predetermined display is performed for each case where they match, and when they do not match.

By storing a medicine in a rack by such a system, it is almost impossible for an operator to mistake the rack when storing the medicine. In addition, only a label indicating a code indicating the position is attached to each rack, and the type of medicine stored in each rack is not specified. Therefore, when a rack containing a certain medicine is vacant, the inventory management device can recognize that fact and store another medicine in the rack, so that there is an advantage that space efficiency is improved. .

Next, in the case of retrieval, the information of the medicine to be retrieved is input to the inventory management device, and the inventory management device issues a retrieval instruction label 20 having the same format as the entry instruction label 10 in FIG. The worker goes to the position of the rack indicated by the shipping instruction label 20, where the pallet identification label 12, the shipping instruction label is
20. Read the four barcodes on the label 4 on the rack. The barcode reader checks whether or not the medicine case to be taken out is the target as in the case of storage, and displays a predetermined display for each of the cases if they match and if they do not match. By managing outgoing shipments with such a system, there is almost no danger that an operator will take out the wrong medicine.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a three-stage rack is used, and it is assumed that the pallet 6 is taken in and out by a forklift. Therefore, when picking up medicines in the second or third rack, it is necessary to once lower the whole rack with a forklift and then take out the necessary number of medicines.
On the other hand, the lowermost pallet allows the operator to take out necessary medicines without using a forklift, thereby enabling quick retrieval. In consideration of such points, in the present embodiment, medicines of the same kind are stored in the lowermost rack in principle at the time of storage, and when the lowermost rack is filled, the second and third tiers are stored. And store. In the case of unloading, the medicine cases are sequentially taken out from the lowermost rack, and when an empty space is created in the lowermost rack, the upper pallet is moved to the lowermost rack.

In order to carry out such a procedure, the inventory management device keeps track of the quantity of medicines in all racks, and can recognize when a vacancy occurs in the lowermost rack. If a vacancy occurs at the bottom, the inventory management device issues a movement instruction label (not shown) and
Instruct the user to move the medicine in the first or third rack to the lowest rack. The worker moves the pallet of the medicine from the upper stage to the lower stage according to the movement instruction label, using the time when the loading / unloading operation is not busy. In this case, as in the case of loading and unloading, the operation can be performed without error by performing the collation by the barcode reader. By performing such a work, the efficiency of the whole unloading work can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the pallet identification label 14 is attached in units of pallets. However, when a plurality of types of medicines are placed on one pallet, a display label may be attached to each medicine case alone. In this embodiment,
Although the inventory management of pharmaceuticals is described, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that the invention can be applied to inventory management of any other articles.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, when storing an item, the respective symbols written on the storage section display label, the stored item display label, and the entry instruction label are always collated, so that the worker can store the item. It is possible to perform quick warehousing work without erroneous storage compartments to be erroneous, and when a space is created in the storage compartment, another type of item can be stored in the storage compartment, thereby improving space efficiency. An inventory management system can be provided.

In addition to this, according to the present invention, at the time of unloading, each symbol written on the storage section display label, the stored item display label, and the unloading instruction label are collated, so that the item to be removed by the worker can be determined. It is possible to provide an inventory management system that allows quick retrieval without error.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, since a barcode that is widely used is used as a symbol for the storage section display label, the stored article display label, the entry instruction label, and the exit instruction label,
An inventory management system that is easy to handle can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a rack of an inventory management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a medicine case placed on a pallet and a pallet identification label attached to the pallet. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an entry instruction label and an exit instruction label. 2 ... Rack, 4 ... Label, 6 ... Pallet, 8 ...
Pharmaceutical case, 10… Incoming instruction label, 12… Pallet identification label, 14,16… Item code, 18… Address code, 20… Outgoing instruction label.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-64-60502 (JP, A) JP-A-62-235101 (JP, A) JP-A-63-22500 (JP, A) JP-A-59-50 182103 (JP, A) JP-A-63-267601 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B65G 1/00-1/20

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A storage means comprising a plurality of storage sections, a storage section display label having a symbol identifying the storage section in the vicinity of each storage section, and stored in each of the storage sections. A storage label that stores the number of stored items and determines the storage section in which to store the newly received item, and a symbol that specifies the type of the item, and a symbol that specifies the type of the item. A storage management device that issues a storage instruction label with a symbol indicating a storage section in which the article is to be stored, and a storage section display label, a storage article display label, and a reading of each symbol written on the storage instruction label, Compare the item indicated on the receipt instruction label with the item indicated on the stored item display label, and compare the storage section indicated on the entry instruction label with the item indicated on the storage section display label. A sign reading device that determines whether or not the storage section is a storage section for storing newly received articles by comparing the storage sections and displays the result, and supports storage of the articles in the correct storage section. An inventory management system characterized in that: 2. The inventory management system according to claim 1, further comprising: storing in advance which article is in which storage section; and a symbol for specifying the type of the article instructed to be taken out and a corresponding symbol. A delivery management device that issues a delivery instruction label with a symbol indicating a storage compartment that is stored is provided, and a storage compartment display label is provided by the symbol reading device.
Reading the respective symbols written on the storage indication label and the shipping instruction label, and comparing the article written on the shipping instruction label with the article written on the storage indication label,
And, by comparing the storage section indicated on the storage instruction label with the storage section indicated on the storage instruction label, it is determined whether or not the article to be taken out of a storage section is an article to be output, and the result is determined. An inventory management system that displays and supports correct delivery of goods. 3. The inventory management system according to claim 1, wherein the symbols written on the storage section display label, the stored article display label, the entry instruction label, and the exit instruction label are barcodes, and the symbol reading device uses these symbols. An inventory management system characterized by reading a bar code. 4. An inventory management method for storing a large number of articles in predetermined storage sections, wherein a storage section in which said article to be stored is to be stored is determined from a plurality of storage sections based on a type of the article to be stored. A storage instruction label on which a symbol specifying the type of the article to be stored and a symbol indicating a storage section in which the article is to be stored, and a stored article display label on which a symbol specifying the type of the article is written; Attached to each of the storage compartments, a storage compartment display label on which a symbol for identifying the storage compartment is written, and a storage display label, read each symbol written on the storage display label, Compare the item indicated on the receipt instruction label with the item indicated on the stored item display label, and compare the storage section indicated on the entry instruction label with the item indicated on the storage section display label. By comparing the storage sections, it is determined whether or not the storage section is a storage section in which articles to be newly stored should be stored, the result is displayed, and the storage of goods in the correct storage section is supported. And inventory management method. 5. The inventory management method according to claim 4, wherein the number of storage items stored in each of said storage sections is stored, and the storage section in which said article is to be stored is determined by grasping the number. An inventory management method characterized by: 6. The inventory management method according to claim 4, further comprising storing in advance a storage section in which each of the articles is stored, and storing a symbol specifying the type of the article instructed to be taken out and the article. Outputting a shipping instruction label on which a symbol indicating a storage section is written, and reading each of the symbols on the shipping instruction label, the storage section display label, and the storage article display label,
Comparing the article described on the shipping instruction label with the article described on the stored article display label, and comparing the storage section described on the shipping instruction label with the storage section described on the storage section display label. And determining whether the item to be taken out is an item to be taken out by displaying the result, displaying the result, and assisting in taking out the item.